Attention Athletes: Click here for the current prohibited list in effect for drug-testing.
Commit to Clean Sport with USA Triathlon
Anti-Doping 101 for Athletes, Presented by USADA
Anti-Doping 101 from USADA Media on Vimeo.
Washington Anti-Doping Summit
On Oct. 31, 2018, USA Triathlon joined athletes and anti-doping leaders from around the world to call for sensible reforms and fundamental changes in the WADA governance that conform with best practices. Click here to view the Washington Anti-Doping Summit Declaration.
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency
Having a fair and effective anti-doping program is vital to ensure that the rights of clean athletes and the integrity of competition are upheld. USA Triathlon is opposed to the practice of doping in sport and fully supports and complies with the policies, protocols, and rules set forth by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) as the independent, non-profit anti-doping organization in the U.S. Guided by their mission to preserve the integrity of competition, inspire true sport, and protect the rights of U.S. athletes, USADA is charged with implementing a comprehensive anti-doping program for all Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, and Para Pan American sport National Governing Bodies, their athletes, and events. USADA's scope of responsibility includes:
- Education for athlete and athlete support personnel
- Drug reference resources
- In-competition and out-of competition testing
- Results management processes
USADA’s website www.usada.org provides many resources to help athletes, athlete support personnel, and medical professionals understand the anti-doping process and the role they play in helping to protect clean sport.
Testing
The primary focus of the anti-doping program is on elite athletes competing in the Olympic discipline. As a USA Triathlon member you may be subject to testing at an event or even out of competition. While testing of age-group athletes is not common, it can happen and all athletes/members should be aware of their rights and responsibilities as it relates to anti-doping procedures. You can find information from USADA about the testing process, including information about urine and blood collection at www.usada.org/testing.
Whereabouts Requirements
Some U.S. athletes may be selected by USADA or USA Triathlon to be included in a Registered Testing Pool (RTP), which requires the athlete to provide Whereabouts information, (dates, times, locations, etc.) in order to be located for out-of-competition testing. If an athlete is selected to be included in the RTP, they will be notified by the appropriate organization. More information about the Whereabouts process for USADA can be found at www.USADA.org/testing/whereabouts/.
Retirement and Returning from Retirement
When an athlete chooses to retire from sport, or plans to return from competition after previously retiring, there are important steps that must be taken to avoid any potential rule violations. Detailed information about those steps can be found at www.USADA.org/athletes/retire/.
Results Management
USADA is responsible for the results management and adjudication process for athletes in U.S. Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Sport, providing important independence and removing any potential conflicts of interest from the USOC and sport national governing bodies. Additional information about the results management process can be found at www.USADA.org/testing/results/.
Prohibited Substances and Supplements
Knowing what substances you can and cannot take is very important as a competitive athlete (elite or age-group). The WADA Prohibited List contains all the substances and methods prohibited in sport. The List is evaluated, updated, and published every year by WADA. See the full list at www.USADA.org/substances/prohibited-list/
Global Drug Reference Online (Global DRO)
If an athlete needs to take a medication, Global DRO is an easy to use online and mobile enabled resource to search the prohibited status of specific medications based on the current WADA Prohibited List. www.globalDRO.com
Supplement Information
No organization can guarantee the safety, efficacy or non-prohibited status of a dietary supplement. Due tothe current regulatory framework, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not evaluate dietary supplement products prior to them being brought to the market. As such, it is very important that athletes and athlete support personnel are aware of the risks associated with taking dietary supplements. USADA has created www.Supplement411.org as an online resource to help athletes and athlete support personnel, realize the concerns surrounding the use of dietary supplements, recognize risk when it is seen, and reduce the risk of testing positive or experiencing health problems if an athlete chooses to use supplements.
In addition, Supplement 411 also provides a list of dietary supplement products that are considered to present a high risk to athletes and consumers.
Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs)
If an athlete has a legitimate medical need to use a substance or method that is prohibited, the athlete can apply for a TUE, and where appropriate, be provided an exemption to use that method or substance under medical guidance. More information on when and how to apply for a TUE is provided at www.USADA.org/substances/tue/.Resources
Athlete Express USADA's Athlete Express is available to help with immediate assistance for any questions or concerns. Athlete Express provides support over the phone and via email regarding whereabouts, testing, Therapeutic Use Exemptions, prohibited substances, educational resources, and more.
866-601-2632 | 719-785-2000 | athleteexpress@usada.org
Coach Resources
Coaches are some of the most influential people in athlete’s lives, and are in a unique position to help them make positive and healthy choices. Understanding the role they play in keeping sport clean, as well as their responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code, is vital for both them and the athletes they support. Find out more at www.usada.org/resources/coach/.
Health Professional Resources
Health professionals, who care for athletes, are a vital component in the bigger picture of preserving the integrity of competition and the core principles of true sport. Athletes and support personnel depend on health professionals to help guide them in making good decisions. Understanding anti-doping rules is essential to ensuring success in program compliance and clean competition. Read more here: www.usada.org/resources/healthpro/.
Investigations and the Play Clean Tip Center
In addition to testing, the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) emphasizes the importance of using investigative efforts to both detect and deter the use of performance-enhancing drugs and methods in sport. It is important to know that athletes are not the only people who may commit anti-doping rule violations. In accordance with the Code, coaches, trainers, doctors and other athlete support personnel may also be held accountable for their actions, should they choose to violate anti-doping rules.
If at any time, a person suspects that their sport is being compromised by performance-enhancing drugs or methods, they can anonymously provide that information to the USADA Play Clean Tip Center at www.USADA.org/athletes/playclean/
TrueSport
TrueSport is a movement powered by USADA that seeks to ensure a positive youth sport experience. Through certified TrueSport coaches, TrueSport parents and TrueSport Ambassadors, this movement strives to impart the important life lessons learned through participation in sport, including a focus on:
- Clean Competition
- Sportsmanship
- Peak Performance
Learn more and get involved today at www.TrueSport.org
Banned Substances Control Group
The Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG) addresses the concern that dangerous banned substances can be found in dietary supplements, even when these substances are not listed as ingredients. BSCG assists responsible dietary supplement manufacturers by certifying that a sample of their product was tested for a list of banned substances, and no banned substances were found in that sample above the detection limits.
Anti-Doping Research
Anti-Doping Research (ADR) is one of the leading performance-enhancing drug research organizations in the world. Its mission is to help rid sport of performance-enhancing drugs by uncovering new drugs being used illegally and developing the tests to detect them.
USADA Athlete Guide for the WADA Prohibited List
Drug Reference Phone Line: 800.233.0393 OR 719.785.2020 (available from 8 am - 4 pm MST)
Quick Links
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I'm an elite athlete. How do I know if I'm in USADA's Registered Testing Pool (RTP)?If you are entered into the RTP, you will receive notification along with information on what to do next directly from USADA. Athletes are added or removed from the RTP as they meet the set criteria for triathlon. The criteria is not made public as it’s always subject to change and ultimately USADA can make an executive decision on an athlete’s entrance or departure from the RTP.
Will age-group athletes be tested?
While more infrequent than elite athlete testing, age-group athletes can be tested as well. The majority of age-group athletes will only ever experience a doping control during a competition but it's still important to understand that testing can occur at any time. The testing of age-group athletes was incorporated into USAT's anti-doping initiatives in an effort to ensure clean sport regardless of athlete level.
Can taking a dietary supplement trigger a positive test?
Unfortunately yes, due to the lack of regulation present in today's nutritional supplement marketplace. To learn more about how to make an informed decision about dietary supplements, please visit USADA's Supplement 411 website. www.usada.org/supplement411
I'm a Race Director. How do I know if there will be testing at my event?
USA Triathlon personnel will contact the race director to inform them of testing efforts. USAT and the race director will then work together to designate a site coordinator who will assist USADA in their efforts during the event.
I'm a Race Director. Can I request testing at my event?
Yes, on a contract basis directly with USADA. Please click here for more information.
I'm a Coach. What can I do to better understand anti-doping and help my athletes?
USADA has resources within their TrueSport program to help coaches and other educators become more informed and prepare their athletes. Please click here for more information.
For additional FAQs, please visit www.usada.org/faq
Contact
If you have any questions about anti-doping policies and procedures, please contact USADA's Athlete Express.Phone: 719-785-2000
Toll Free: 866-601-2632
Email: athleteexpress@usada.org
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